Archive for April, 2014

An open mic segment began the Fraser Valley Poets Society’s April 7th Blue Moon reading—our second reading of 2014. Ten readers performed works on subjects ranging from Malaysian flight 370 to brushing teeth in the shower. Several poets remembered Earth Day and one sang her thoughts in Punjabi.

Open mic readers – April 7, 2014

Alvin Ens proved to us that it’s official—our name change from Poets Potpourri Society to Fraser Valley Poets Society. He also announced a book giveaway for our next meeting (see below).

We are now the Fraser Valley Poets Society – name change certificate

Featured reader Robert Martens read from his newest book little creatures (Ekstasis Editions, 2013). The first section of the book, little creatures, has poems with titles like “cocoon to butterfly,” “the plague of the flea,” and “mother mosquito” leading listeners and readers to believe these will be about insects.

“They are about these little creatures,” Martens assured us. “But they’re also about more.” In addition to other poems he read “cricket moods” that speaks in picturesque language about cricket choruses throughout the day but also illustrates the sinister power of voices raised collectively.

From the book’s second section more creatures, looking for a home Martens read the moving poem “father jacob”—a poem about his dad. He ended his reading with the entertaining and tongue-in-cheek “i will not wear purple.”

Robert Martens reads from little creatures

As usual, Martens’ reading was entertaining but too short! Sales of his book were brisk, and I now have a copy of my own. Since Monday night, I’ve spent not a little time chuckling over and pondering the poems in this thought-provoking, sometimes prickly, and often humorous collection. (The cover and title page drawings by Heinz Klassen add to the whimsy).

Our next meeting is Monday, May 5th. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. (note the change from the usual 6:30) to accommodate the membership taking some time to ratify our amended constitution. We hope to have lots of time, as well, for an open mic.

And of course, don’t forget about the FREE BOOKS! Alvin has a box full of poetry and poetry how-to books—part of the estate of a poetry teacher—for poetry buffs to claim and take home